Africa Wild

Skukuza airport to reopen for commercial flights

Written by Kim Helfrich
Monday, 11 February 2013 12:53

As from the second half of this year, Skukuza Airport will again handle scheduled flights from registered airlines.

The airport was closed to commercial airlines, but remained open for charters, just on ten years ago when Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) outside Hazyview opened its doors for business.

SANParks head of business development Giju Varghese said the reintroduction of scheduled flights would be a “key contributor” in bringing more visitors to the world-renowned game reserve.

The reintroduction of commercial flights would not affect chartered aircraft using the airport’s 1 550 m runway, which is 311 m above sea level.

“Scheduled commercial flights were diverted to KMIA but charter flights in and out of Skukuza never stopped,” he said. The move of scheduled flights to Mpumalanga’s new flagship airport ended registered commercial airline traffic bound for Kruger, its concession lodges and adjacent private game reserves via the airport in the park.

Skukuza is situated about 15 minutes’ drive from the park’s major restcamp of the same name and is also used by South African Air Force as part of the South African National Defence Force’s contribution to the national rhino anti-poaching effort. BK-117 helicopters from 15 Squadron’s C Flight as well as 28 Squadron C-130BZ transport aircraft are the most regular military users of the airport.

Current management plans for Skukuza Airport are for it to handle a maximum of six scheduled flights a day up to a maximum of 30 a week.

“Including charters a maximum of 10 arriving and departing flights a day will be allowed on a seven day a week basis,” he said.

SANParks will not, as in the past, operate the airport but will appoint a suitably qualified operator for scheduled services.

In terms of which local carriers are expected to take up the re-opening of Skukuza as an addition to their routes Varghese said: “We will partner with any airline and after due process will partner with the most appropriate airline to make the airport sustainable”.

Request for Propoasals (PPP Tender document)

4.6 The Bidder shall have the exclusive rights to operate the Skukuza Airport and provide scheduled flights to and from Skukuza Airport for period of 10 years from the Operation Commencement Date.

4.12 The Bidder and SANParks shall enter into a binding service level agreement which shall, amongst other matters, manage the Bidder’s performance in terms of reliability and punctuality.

4.13 Scheduled flights - A maximum of 6 (six) arriving and departing scheduled flights per day with a maximum of 30 (thirty) arriving and departing scheduled flights per week shall be allowed.

4.14 Total flights - In total a maximum of 10 (ten) arriving and departing flights per day with a maximum of 70 (seventy) flights (excluding SANParks aircrafts) per week (70 arrivals and 70 departures) shall be allowed.

4.15 All flights shall be restricted to between 09h00 and 15h00 each day.

4.16 The Bidder shall be allowed to structure accommodation and flight packages with SANParks which shall be advertised to the public jointly

23.2.3 Bidder to acknowledge that it will:
23.2.3.1 conduct an environmental review considering all environmental aspects of the Skukuza Airport activities, products and services, assessment methods, its legal and regulatory framework and existing environmental management practices and procedures, prior to operations and for every 6 months thereafter of operations;
23.2.3.2 in light of the results of the review that was done prior to operations, establish an effective Environmental Management System (EMS) based on international best practice standard i.e. ISO 14001 or other suitable EMS. This must be aimed at achieving SANParks’ environmental policy and values as defined. The management system needs to set responsibilities, objectives, operational procedures, training needs, monitoring and communication systems.
23.2.3.3 conduct an environmental audit to assess compliance with the SANParks policy and Skukuza Airport’s programme as well as with relevant environmental regulatory requirements and adaptive management principles.

I wonder who put the first brief together, since when is KMIA just outside Hazeview Don' these people check what they write

This seems a bit sudden...what is the real reason for the change in policy, do you think?

Up to what size jetliner can a 1550m runway take, Sprocky and iNdy and BT? I know the C130s are big but don't need much space?

Now where did I see a comment about an Indian airline...??

None of the wide body aircraft will be able to use that runway. It will be used by the smaller planes, which in a way is bad as this will mean more arrivals and departures, except if SA Airlink win the tender. They own the Phalaborwa Gateway Airport and NO other airlines are allowed to run schedule flights into Phala. This allows them to make it the most expensive flight in the country.

Skukuza runway is more or less the same size as Phala, it will be able to handle business jets and prop jobs, but none of the Boeings or Airbuses.

To me it seems to prepare the ground to cater for non self driving guests

Toko wrote: To me it seems to prepare the ground to cater for non self driving guests

I'm not sure about that yet. They will probably have car hire companies at the airport, but yes, definitely moving slowly in the direction of doing away with the self drive option.

All the Airlink type aircraft would be able to use it.

Toko wrote:SANParks will not, as in the past, operate the airport but will appoint a suitably qualified operator for scheduled services.

This is precisely where the fat wheels land on a thin strip of pocket lining!!

Toko wrote:to make the airport sustainable

This word "sustainable" irks me more and more!!

People make themselves sustainable. What makes Sanparks
decide on behalf of the people??? Forcing matters again!!